Page 44 of Brutal Prince

Indi

Ilay awake for hours last night wondering what Briar had in store for me today. But I’ve been in homeroom for more than ten minutes and he hasn’t even bothered looking up at me.

He’s busy on his phone, and there’s that same frustrated frown on his face.

I sit back in my seat and force myself to face Ms. Parsons as she starts off with some announcements. She hasn’t mentioned the buddy thing again, but I have a feeling that she’ll keep that for the end of class if she plans on bringing it up.

“Good morning, Indi.”

I flinch, recognizing the voice, but unable to process those polite words. I turn in my chair, and scowl suspiciously at Briar. “What do you want?”

I discretely move my feet to make sure he hasn’t somehow managed to tie my laces again, and then casually run my fingers through my hair in case I missed any early morning spitballs.

Briar’s smiling. It looks genuine, and that’s extremely concerning. Then again, he’s wearing shades, so maybe that’s why he has me fooled. That grin makes me think he knows something I don’t.

I feel a nervous tic coming on.

“You rushed off so fast yesterday, I never got to find out how my Lavish Buddy enjoyed her first day.”

“Which part?” I snap, cocking my head at him and not bothering to lower my voice. “The part where you had me on my knees, or where your friend decided to spit in my hair?”

I realize my mistake immediately. Phrasing, for one. Two, whose class we’re in.

“Children?”

I catch Briar suppressing a smile behind a big hand as he sits back in his chair, but Ms. Parsons already has a hand on my shoulder, turning me to face her. “Is everything all right, Indigo?”

“Indi.”

Parsons nods. “Indi?”

“Everything’s fine, Ms. Parsons.”

She tilts her head like I’m covered with spots and still trying to deny the fact that I have measles. “You can always talk to me, Indi. That’s what guidance counselors are for.”

There’s a faint snigger from somewhere in the back of the class. I catch a few words, enough to make me blush. Something about asking her how one goes about losing my virginity. Someone else said Briar would sort me out, no problem.

“I’m fine,” I say through gritted teeth. Ms. Parsons shakes her head, and then looks past me at Briar.

“You should take Indi to the stables during your free period today.” Then she looks back at me. “Your transcript said you enjoyed horse riding. I’m sure Briar would love to take you for a ride.”

The class bursts out laughing. Ms. Parsons hurriedly straightens, and then adjusts her tortoiseshell glasses as if the sudden movement knocked them awry. “Quieten down, class. There’s nothing funny about feeling out of your element at a new school.”

“Really, I’m fine. I don’t want to go—”

Ms. Parsons turns to me, her little rosebud mouth pursed with disapproval. “Horses are very therapeutic.”

“I don’t want—”

“Well, I insist.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Lavish expects its students to be fully involved in everything the school has to offer.” She gestures toward Briar with a limp hand. “Briar’s a wonderful rider, and I’m sure you’d love to see—”

The class erupts into fits of laughter. Ms. Parsons blushes furiously, but surprisingly, stands her ground. “To see the rest of the school.”

Goddamnit Parsons. It would be a real dick move for me to refuse and embarrass her further. I mean, I’m even starting to blush just imagining Briar and willowy Ms. Parsons rutting like animals against the blackboard with their—

Woah, Indi! No.

Now my cheeks are on fire too.

---